OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD
ESSAY TIPS & TECHNIQUES
- See the question as 3 parts of a whole; Don’t repeat anything from 1 Ques to another
- No need for three introductions: One main introduction plus intentions at the start of each
question.
- Themes; Comment on the themes and how these link to your aims and are explored through
your creative ideas.
- Make everything specific to the extract
- 10 Quotes Minimum in each section.
- Keep linking back to dramatic aim and words of Question.
- Pick a line, analyze in terms of how you’d direct, perform it, then characters/ audiences’
response/ reaction
- If it’s an Open question CLOSE IT; Your interpretation and link to that throughout.
DIRECTING QUESTION;
Overall Extract Introduction;
- Dramatic aims (Justify) link to Question
- Wertenbaker intentions for the extract
- Social, historical, cultural for extract
- Themes of the extract.
- The context for the scene Justify why the scene is important
- ‘I as a director’
- RBTQ
- Intensions for Extract: links to context/ key messages/research
- Chose a moment of Act/React: Explain what happens on stage then justify why you asked
your actors to do this and what it shows to the audience
- Repeat step 2 until times up!
PERFORMING QUESTION;
- Intensions for the role: show you know who they are!
- Chose a quotation; Quote, Act, Why
- Include SCH specific to Character.
- At least 10 Quotations!
SET QUESTION;
- Complete stage configuration Drawing; Scene specific; Label the audience, exits, entrances,
levels in ascending numerical order.
- Intentions for design: setting/atmosphere or both? Close Question
- Describe of your composite set: Stage configuration, Levels, Set items Inc. Backdrop
- Describe scene specifics
- Back up each description with Justification!
- Get in context for Australia etc.
COSTUME DESIGN QUESTION;
- Intention for design: personality/period specific/realistic or abstract? Close Question
- Labelled Sketch of Character
- For each character required: Underwear, Shirt, trousers, slip, Waistcoats, dresses, bodices,
aprons, Accessories, Shoes, Hair.
- Justify each description against context/historical accuracy/character personality/scene
placement in play.
LIGHTING OR SOUND DESIGN QUESTION;
- Intensions for design: setting or atmosphere? Realistic or abstract? Close the Question.
- What is it? Live/found/recorded… Lantern/profile/spot/flood…
- Where is it coming from? Angle? Which rig? Speaker position?
- How long does it last? How does it begin/end? What is the prompt for it to happen in the
scene? Intensity? Volume?
- Context where possible including Terminology
-
ESSAY TIPS & TECHNIQUES
- See the question as 3 parts of a whole; Don’t repeat anything from 1 Ques to another
- No need for three introductions: One main introduction plus intentions at the start of each
question.
- Themes; Comment on the themes and how these link to your aims and are explored through
your creative ideas.
- Make everything specific to the extract
- 10 Quotes Minimum in each section.
- Keep linking back to dramatic aim and words of Question.
- Pick a line, analyze in terms of how you’d direct, perform it, then characters/ audiences’
response/ reaction
- If it’s an Open question CLOSE IT; Your interpretation and link to that throughout.
DIRECTING QUESTION;
Overall Extract Introduction;
- Dramatic aims (Justify) link to Question
- Wertenbaker intentions for the extract
- Social, historical, cultural for extract
- Themes of the extract.
- The context for the scene Justify why the scene is important
- ‘I as a director’
- RBTQ
- Intensions for Extract: links to context/ key messages/research
- Chose a moment of Act/React: Explain what happens on stage then justify why you asked
your actors to do this and what it shows to the audience
- Repeat step 2 until times up!
PERFORMING QUESTION;
- Intensions for the role: show you know who they are!
- Chose a quotation; Quote, Act, Why
- Include SCH specific to Character.
- At least 10 Quotations!
SET QUESTION;
- Complete stage configuration Drawing; Scene specific; Label the audience, exits, entrances,
levels in ascending numerical order.
- Intentions for design: setting/atmosphere or both? Close Question
- Describe of your composite set: Stage configuration, Levels, Set items Inc. Backdrop
- Describe scene specifics
- Back up each description with Justification!
- Get in context for Australia etc.
COSTUME DESIGN QUESTION;
- Intention for design: personality/period specific/realistic or abstract? Close Question
- Labelled Sketch of Character
- For each character required: Underwear, Shirt, trousers, slip, Waistcoats, dresses, bodices,
aprons, Accessories, Shoes, Hair.
- Justify each description against context/historical accuracy/character personality/scene
placement in play.
LIGHTING OR SOUND DESIGN QUESTION;
- Intensions for design: setting or atmosphere? Realistic or abstract? Close the Question.
- What is it? Live/found/recorded… Lantern/profile/spot/flood…
- Where is it coming from? Angle? Which rig? Speaker position?
- How long does it last? How does it begin/end? What is the prompt for it to happen in the
scene? Intensity? Volume?
- Context where possible including Terminology
-
